Govt. rebuts claims that statutory regulations were violated during GM mustard appraisal

The Coalition of GM-free India had on Friday released a report alleging that no health expert ever participated in GM mustard appraisal

The Union Environment Ministry on Saturday rebutted the claims made by activists that statutory regulations were violated during the appraisal and approval of GM mustard in India, saying the product was conditionally cleared only after stakeholder consultation.

The Coalition of GM-free India, a group of NGOs opposing genetically modified crops, had on Friday released a report alleging that no (independent) health expert ever participated in GM mustard appraisal.

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In a response issued on Saturday, the ministry said: "The Assessment of Food and Environmental Safety (AFES) report prepared by the sub-committee in 2016 with regard to the biosafety dossier of GM mustard was uploaded on the ministry's website for inviting comments by the public for a period of 30 days (from September 5 to October 5, 2016).

"Further, the entire dossier was also made available for review by the public in the ministry's office for the same duration," it said.

Also read: Is there a compelling reason to release GM mustard, SC asks govt.

"The conditional environmental release of GM mustard has been granted after stakeholder consultations as prescribed in the Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) guidance documents (Guidelines for the ERA of Genetically Engineered Plants, Risk Analysis Framework, Stakeholder's guide) of 2016. The conditional approval for environmental release is subject to the clearance from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India," it said.